This Year

"This Year" is a single by YouTuber and musical artist beetlebat. It was released on July 26, 2022, as the third single from his debut mixtape "Be Dumb Bro." It features frequent collaborator and ginger Payden McKnight. The single celebrates Holistic Therapy day.

Background
Beetle announced on TikTok that he would releasing a "summer banger" in July. On July 21, Beetle revealed the song would be released on July 26 along with a feature from Payden McKnight. It is said to be a pop rap motivation anthem.

The "Pre-Show" Incident
Beetlebat was prepared to drop his next smash single "This Year" on July 26. An hour before its release, Hood Guy announced he would dropping two new singles "DILLUSIONAL" with Lil Mosquito Disease and "BRITISH RAPPER VS AMERICAN RAPPER." This was a problem because Beetle was dropping already. Hood Guy instructed Mosquito and Payden to edit and upload his songs to premiere them on the Flex channel immediately. Hood Guy called his songs a "pre-show" for Beetle's song. The songs dropped at 11:45 and 11:50, 10-15 minutes before "This Year." Beetle wasn't happy about this but he was glad that the songs didn't overshadow his release. The songs were negatively panned by critics. "This Year" received critical acclaim. Hood Guy promised he would promote Beetle's song all day.

Chart performance
"This Year" debuted at number three on the Flex Entertainment Hot 100. It became Beetle's eleventh top ten and Payden's fifteenth. After the release of the music video, it rose to number one becoming Beetle's fourth and Payden's second number one single. It has spent thirteen weeks in the top ten and twenty-eight on the chart as a whole. It is Payden's biggest chart hit.

Music Video
Beetle film a music video for the single during his vacation in the upper peninsula of Michigan. It would be released on August 12, 2022. It featured Beetle in multiple shots performing the song as well as stunning visuals of the places he went to. Payden also performed his part of the song inside of his bedroom with two friends.

Critical Reception
The song received critical acclaim upon its release, praising the hook and production although some criticized Beetlebat's vocal delivery. It currently has a rating of 76 on AlbumOfTheYear from 16 ratings.

Track Listing
Digital Download - Original
 * 1) This Year - 3:05